Kimono pants

ABSTRACT

A martial arts kimono pants ( 200, 300, 400, 500 ) comprising a pair of leg portions ( 230, 310, 510 ) and a waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) for extending about the waist of a user, wherein the leg portions ( 230, 310, 510 ) and waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) are formed from a substantially inextensible fabric; at least one discontinuity ( 220, 330, 430, 551 ) extending through at least the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ), wherein the discontinuity ( 220, 330, 430, 551 ) provides a relief for tightening and engagement of the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) against waist of the user and provides an opening in the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) moveable from open state towards a closed state; an elasticized waistband ( 340 ) circumferentially affixed to the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ); wherein the elasticized waistband ( 340 ) urges the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) against the waist of the user, and upon the elasticized waistband ( 340 ) urging the waistband portion ( 210, 320, 520 ) against the waist of the user the discontinuity ( 220, 330, 430, 551 ) moves from the open state towards the closed state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of sports garments, inparticular martial arts kimonos such as are worn in martial arts such asjiu jitsu, judo, tae kwon do, karate, kung fu or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Persons and athletes who practice the discipline of martial arts, suchas jiu jitsu, judo, tae kwon do, karate, kung fu or the like, typicallywear specialized clothing articles, garments, uniforms, which may beused on a basis of tradition, or in view of codified requirements of asport.

Such clothing as used in martial arts are traditionally referred to as akimono or gi, and by way of example is a Brazilian jiu jitsu gi.

As is generally known in the martial arts field, the kimono, which is aJapanese traditional garment, has been adapted for the practice ofdifferent types of martial arts, so as to fit the body of a martialartisan in such a manner and so as to impart the ability to execute fullrange motion and/or movements as may be required for the art beingpracticed.

The kimono, which is commonly used in Brazilian jiu jitsu, has beenadapted from the original kimono.

The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is a maingoverning body for international jui jitsu tournaments and sports.within IBJJF Regulations are stipulated the requirements of kimonos anduniforms for jiu jitsu.

Whilst there exist uniform requirements in other martial arts activitiesand sports, in relation to jui jitsu the IBJJF Regulations areconsidered the standard by which those who engage in the sport ofjui-jitsu comply with globally.

The kimono is required to be formed using cotton or cotton-like fabric,and the fabric is required to not be so thick or hard as to impede anopponent from gripping it.

In addition to the physical requirements of a material from which a gimust be formed, there also exist standard requirements in relation toleg and arm length of the trousers and jacket of a gi, the size of thelapel and the width of the belt securing the jacket.

Athletes are required to use a belt which is durable, 4 to 5 cm widebelt, and coloured according to the athlete's rank or grade, typicallywith a black tip, except for black belts whereby the tip should be whiteor red.

The belt is worn over the top, wrap around the waist twice, and be tiedusing a double knot tight enough to hold the GI top closed. once tied ina double knot, each end of the belt should hang 20 to 30 cm in length.

A specialized kimono assessment tool, which is often formed from awooden block with slots formed therein, is used to check that ajui-jitsu's gi is in compliance with regulations.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kimono or gi,which overcomes or at least partly ameliorates at least somedeficiencies as associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a martial arts kimonopants comprising a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion forextending about the waist of a user, wherein the leg portions andwaistband portion are formed from a substantially inextensible fabric;at least one discontinuity extending through at least the band portion,wherein the discontinuity provides a relief for tightening andengagement of the waist band portion against waist of the user andprovides an opening in the waistband portion moveable from open statetowards a closed state; an elasticized waistband circumferentiallyaffixed to the waistband portion; wherein the elasticized waistbandurges the waistband portion against the waist of the user, and upon theelasticized waistband urging the waistband portion against the waist ofthe user the discontinuity moves from the open state towards the closedstate.

The martial arts kimono pants preferably include two discontinuities,and each of said discontinuities is located at opposed lateral positionsof the waistband portion.

The discontinuities may be provided as a “V” shaped cut-out extendingwith an opening at the most upper part of the waist portion, andtapering downwards and converges below said opening.

The martial arts kimono pants may further include A covering elementwhich covers the discontinuities.

The covering element may be elasticized element and is formed from anelasticized material and allows for movement between said open state andsaid closed state.

The covering element may further extend across the interior of thekimono pants in the form of a lining.

The covering element is formed from an elasticized material includingLycra® and spandex

The martial arts kimono pants may further comprise a belt element and aplurality of belt loops affixed to the kimono pants at or adjacent thewaistband portion.

The belt element may extend through an internal passage within thewaistband portion and exits said internal passage adjacent the opposedlateral positions of the waistband portion.

The elasticized waistband extends upwardly from waistband portion.Alternatively, the elasticized waistband may terminate at or below theupper circumference of the waistband portion.

The elasticized waistband is affixed to the waistband portion by sewing,stitching, darning, lacing, adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, pressuresensitive adhesive, heat and pressure sensitive adhesive, sonic welding,or combinations thereof.

The martial arts kimono pants may further comprise a silicone orsilicone-based material extending about the inner circumference of theelasticized waistband.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a martial arts kimonopants comprising a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion forextending about the waist of a user, wherein at least a portion of thewaistband portion is elasticized; an elasticized waistbandcircumferentially affixed to the waistband portion; wherein theelasticized waistband urges the waistband portion against the waist ofthe user, and the elasticized portion of the waistband portion providesfor extension and contraction of the waistband portion in removal andaffixing of the kimono pants to the user.

The martial arts kimono pants may further include a lining affixed tothe interior of the kimono parts. The lining may be formed from anelasticized material including Lycra® and spandex

The martial arts kimono pants may further comprise a belt element and aplurality of belt loops affixed to the kimono pants at or adjacent thewaistband portion.

The elasticized waistband may extend upwardly from waistband portion.Alternatively, the elasticized waistband may terminate at or below theupper circumference of the waistband portion.

The elasticized waistband may be affixed to the waistband portion bysewing, stitching, darning, lacing, adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive,pressure sensitive adhesive, heat and pressure sensitive adhesive, sonicwelding, or combinations thereof.

The martial arts kimono pants may further comprise a silicone orsilicone-based material extending about the inner circumference of theelasticized waistband.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides martial arts kimonopants comprising a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion forextending about the waist of a user, wherein the leg portions andwaistband portion are formed from a substantially inextensible fabric;two discontinuities, and each of said discontinuities is located atopposed lateral positions of the waistband portion, wherein thediscontinuities provide a relief for tightening and engagement of thewaist band portion against waist of the user and provides an opening inthe waistband portion moveable from open state towards a closed state; afirst elongate portion of the waistband portion extends in a directionof from the rear of the kimono over each discontinuity and towards thefront of the kimono; a second elongate portion of the waistband portionextends in a direction of from the front of the kimono over eachdiscontinuity and towards the rear of the kimono; said first elongateportion is affixed by a first elastic element to the waistband portion,and said elongate portion is affixed by a second elastic element to thewaistband portion; wherein the first elastic element and the secondelastic element urge the discontinuities towards the closed state andurge the waistband portion against the waist of the user.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention martial arts kimono pantscomprising a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion for extendingabout the waist of a user, wherein at least a portion of the waistbandportion is elasticized; wherein the elasticized portions of thewaistband portion urges the waistband portion against the waist of theuser, and the elasticized portion of the waistband portion provides forextension and contraction of the waistband portion in removal andaffixing of the kimono pants to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that a more precise understanding of the above-recitedinvention can be obtained, a more particular description of theinvention briefly described above will be rendered by reference tospecific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. The drawings presented herein may not be drawn to scale andany reference to dimensions in the drawings or the following descriptionis specific to the embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1a shows a partially transparent side view of a user wearing astandard kimono of the Prior Art for assessment of compliance of thekimono;

FIG. 1b shows a partially transparent front view of a user wearing thekimono of the Prior Art of FIG. 1a for assessment of compliance of thekimono;

FIG. 2a shows a Front view of kimono pants of the Prior Art;

FIG. 2b shows a Side view of the kimono pants of the Prior Art of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3a shows a side view of kimono pants according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3b shows an elasticized waistband of the kimono pants of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3c shows a front view of the kimono pants of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3d shows an enlarged side view of the kimono pants of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4a shows a front interior view of another embodiment of a kimonopants according to the present invention;

FIG. 4b shows a side interior view of the embodiment of the kimono pantsof FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5a shows a first portion of an elasticized assembly for a kimonopants according to the present invention;

FIG. 5b shows a second complimentary portion to the first portion ofFIG. 5a or the elasticized assembly;

FIG. 5c shows the first portion of FIG. 5a and the second portion in anassembled state as an elasticized assembly, and in a first state, as aportion of a kimono pants;

FIG. 5d shows the elasticized assembly of FIG. 5c in a second state;

FIG. 5e shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a shows a front view of yet another embodiment of a kimono pantsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6b shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6b ; and

FIG. 7 shows a side view of yet a further embodiment of a kimono pantsaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present inventors have identified shortcomings of the prior art, andupon identification of the problems with the prior art, have providedkimono pants which overcomes or ameliorates the problems of the priorart.

By way of background and example, referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b ,there is shown a side view and front view of a user or athlete 102wearing a standard kimono 100 of the Prior Art for assessment ofcompliance of the kimono in accordance with the Brazilian Jiu JitsuFederation (IBJJF) regulations.

The kimono 100 is comprised of a cotton material jacket 110 and pants120 which may be cotton or reinforced trousers.

According to the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) regulations, thekimono should be tailored using cotton or cotton-like fabric only. Thefabric should not be so thick or hard as to impede an opponent fromgripping it. For juvenile, adult, master and senior divisions, a GIfashioned from woven fabric is mandatory.

According to the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)regulations, the sleeve 115 of the jacket 110 kimono should reach nomore than 5 cm from the users 102 wrist 132 of the arm 130 when the arm130 is extended straight parallel to the ground as shown.

Regarding the trousers 140, these should reach no more than 5 cm abovethe tibial malleolus (ankle bone) 124 of the user 102.

A measuring tool is used to measure the requisite dimensions and fitrequirements of the kimono when worn by a user 102 prior to competing ina tournament, and such conformity is strictly enforced.

Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b , there is shown a portion of the pants 200of a kimono. The pants are made from a cotton or cotton-like or othermaterial, and include a waist band portion 210 above the leg portion 230of the pants 200.

The pants 200 further include a “V” or cut-out portion 220 which extendsthrough the waist band portion 210 and may extend into the leg portion230.

The kimono pants 200 further includes a belt element 240 and belt loops250 for securing the kimono pants 200 to the body of a user. The beltelement 240 can extend through a hem or passage in the waist bandportion 210 around the rear of the user, and may pass twice around theuser in some configurations is shown.

As a kimono is formed from a cotton or cotton-like fabric or material orfabric, which is substantially inelastic, the cut-out portion 220 isprovided which allows the pants 200 to be pulled on by a user, then whenthe belt element is used to tighten the waist band portion 210 so as tosecure the pants 200 to the user, cut-out portion 220 at least partiallycloses. As will be understood, the cut-out portion 220 acts functionallyas a fly in a pair of trousers or jeans, so as to provide relief andextending of the waist band portion 210 when a user pulls on or removesthe pants or trousers, then is closed when the fly is zipped or buttonedup, and the waist band portion 210 then appropriately is seated on thewaist of the user.

As is shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b the kimono pants are of a traditionaltype having the belt element 200 which is utilized to hold the pants tothe body of the user during use of martial arts.

Such pants 200 are typical of those used in the martial arts disciplinesof jiu jitsu and as used in in judo.

As will be understood, it is paramount that a kimono and its fit to auser is compliant with regulations governing the particular sport it isto be used in, and the abovementioned description, although in referenceto jiu jitsu, is applicable to any sport in which a kimono or gi isused, which may have governing regulations.

Failure to comply with any requirements will result in a user beingexcluded from entry in a jiu jitsu tournament, which can result in harmto a user's success, loss of time due to training and preparation, lossof reputation due to the inability to compete in a tournament.

There are further detrimental results of seeking to use a regulationnon-compliant kimono, such as having placed aside time to compete, costsof travel and accommodation, loss of time for vigorous training andpreparation regimes. In some cases, there can also be financial loss forprofessional athletes.

As will be understood, a kimono is a traditional article and theappearance is required to comply with the requirements of the sportsregulations, also it is required to have an appearance in keeping withthat as used traditionally in the discipline of the martial art to whichthe garment is to be utilized.

The present inventor has identified performance problems with kimono andgi′ pants of the prior art, in particular those as used in jiu jitsu andjudo, and has sought to provide a kimono for use in martial arts, suchas jiu jitsu, judo, tae kwon do, karate, kung fu or the like.

The present inventor has identified that during practicing martial arts,in particular the disciplines of jiu jitsu and judo, the kimono pantswill often loosen and/or slip down the body of a user.

This can happen for a variety of reasons such as a degree of stretch ofthe fabric occurring, such as hydration of the fabric due to sweating bya user, grappling and grabbing of the pants by an opponent, and fromgeneral in-use motion by a user.

During use and in competition, a user or athlete is frequently hitchingup and adjusting their kimono patents, which in some cases may requireadjustment of the belt and tightening thereof, or combinations thereof.

Such frequent hitching up and adjusting their kimono patents, inaddition to being generally inconvenient when being worn in general orin competition, can be detrimental in competition and can contribute tothe performance of the user or athlete. For example, this can slow downmovement and re-positioning of a user to a different stance, which canbe detrimental in martial arts type competitions, such as jiu jitsu andjudo.

Such interruption in the performance of a user or athlete incompetition, can cause competitive advantage to an opponent, and canresult in the user or athlete losing position and potential loss of acompetition.

As is noted by the present inventor, during a competition, a user orathlete is required to adjust it reposition their kimono pants numeroustimes, causing inconvenience and exposure to being overpowered or outmaneuvered by an opponent.

The present inventor, having identified the disadvantages of the kimonopants of the prior art, has provided a pair of kimono pants suitable formarital arts including jiu jitsu and judo, which:

-   -   (i) overcome the problems of the prior art,    -   (ii) are compliant with the competition and performance        regulations of martial arts disciplines,    -   (iii) are aesthetically in keeping with the visual appearance of        traditional kimonos, and    -   (iv) are easily and conveniently affixable to the waist of a        user.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d , there is a shown a firstembodiment of a kimono pants 300 according to the present invention.

The kimono pants 300 comprises a pair of leg portions 310 and awaistband portion 320 for extending about the waist of a user.

The leg portions 310 and the waistband portion 320 of the kimono pantsare formed from a substantially inextensible fabric

The kimono, similarly, as described in reference to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, has a discontinuity 330 in the form of a IV, which extends through atleast the waistband portion 320.

The discontinuity 330 provides a relief for tightening and engagement ofthe waistband portion 320 against the waist of the user. As should beunderstood, it also provides an opening in the waistband portion 320moveable from open state towards a closed state, in a direction shown byarrow 332.

The kimono pants 300 also comprises an elasticized waistband 340 whichis circumferentially affixed to the waistband portion 320. Theelasticized waistband 340 is provided so as to urge the waistbandportion 320 against the waist of the user, and upon the elasticizedwaistband 340 urging the waistband portion 320 against the waist of theuser the discontinuity 330 moves from the open state towards the closedstate.

As is shown in the present embodiment, the martial arts kimono pants 300include two discontinuities 330 which located at opposed lateralpositions of the waistband portion 320.

Also as is shown, the discontinuities 330 are provided as a “V” shapedcut-out extending with an opening at the most upper part of thewaistband portion 320, and tapering downwards and converges below theopening.

The martial arts kimono pants 300 further includes a covering elementwhich is provided as an elasticized element 335 which covers thediscontinuities 330. The elasticized element 335 is formed from anelasticized material and allows for movement between said open state andsaid closed state. The elasticized element 335 effectively blocks theopening as formed by the discontinuity 330.

The kimono pants 300, further comprising a belt element 350 and aplurality of belt loops 355 affixed to the kimono pants 300 at oradjacent the waistband portion 320.

The belt element 350 extends through an internal passage within thewaistband portion 320 and exits the internal passage adjacent theopposed lateral positions of the waistband portion 320.

As is shown in the present embodiment, the elasticized waistband 340extends upwardly from waistband portion 320 of kimono pants. In otherand alternate embodiments, the elasticized waistband 340 may terminatesat or below the upper circumference of the waistband portion 320.

The elasticized waistband 340 is affixed to the waistband portion anyappropriate process of technique, including by sewing, stitching,darning, lacing, adhesive, heat sensitive adhesive, pressure sensitiveadhesive, heat and pressure sensitive adhesive, sonic welding, orcombinations thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b , there is shown a furtherembodiment of a kimono pants 400 according to the present invention. Inthe present embodiment, covering element which is provided as anelasticized element 435 is provided which extends over the discontinuity430 and further extends across the interior of the kimono pants in theform of a lining 437 inside the kimono pants 400.

The lining 437 is effectively a pair of shorts, which is affixed insidethe kimono pants 400, and can be formed from an elasticized materialincluding Lycra® and spandex.

Referring now to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d , there is shown anotherembodiment of the present invention, which is a kimono pants 500 with anelasticized assembly for securing the kimono pants to the waist of auser.

The martial arts kimono pants 500 comprises a pair of leg portions 510,including a first leg portion 542 and a second leg portion 544, and awaistband portion 520 for extending about the waist of a user, whereinthe leg portions 510 and waistband portion 520 are formed from asubstantially inextensible fabric.

Similarly, as described in reference to other embodiments above, twodiscontinuities 543 are provided and are located at opposed lateralpositions of the waistband portion 520.

The discontinuities 543 provide a relief for tightening and engagementof the waist band portion 520 against waist of the user and provide anopening in the waistband 520 portion moveable from open state towards aclosed state, in a direction as is shown by arrow 551.

There exists a covering element 541 which extends over eachdiscontinuity 551 on the waistband portion 520. The covering element 543is made of either an elastic or non-elastic fabric.

The covering element 543 is attached to a first leg portion 542 and asecond leg portion 544 to cover discontinuity 551 in between during theexpansion and contraction from the closed state to the open statethereof.

Initially before expansion, as is shown in FIG. 5c , the elasticelements 545 and 551 are in a relaxed state. The discontinuity 543between the first leg portion 542 and the second leg portion 544 is witha smaller size when compared to the discontinuity 543 of FIG. 5 d.

Upon expansion along the direction 551, the first elastic element 545and the second elastic element 551 are stretched away from each other,causing the discontinuity 543 to increase in size. Despite of the sizeincrease of the discontinuity 543, the covering element 541 stillextends over the discontinuity preventing anything within thediscontinuity 551 to be visible by the public.

Such discontinuities 551 of the pants 500 provides a relief which canaccommodate people with different body sizes. By adjusting thediscontinuities 543 from the closed state to its open state, people witha wide range of waistbands, rather than a particular waistband, can fitin the same pants. The relief provided by discontinuities 551 alsoassists in putting on and taking of the pants by the users.

A first elongate portion 540 of the waistband portion 520 extends in adirection of from the rear of the kimono 500 over each discontinuity 530and towards the front of the kimono 500

A second elongate portion 550 of the waistband portion 520 extends in adirection of from the front of the kimono 500 over each discontinuity530 and towards the rear of the kimono 500.

The first elongate portion 540 is affixed by a first elastic element 545to the waistband portion 520, and said elongate portion 550 is affixedby a second elastic element 555 to the waistband portion 520.

The first elastic element 545 and the second elastic element urge thediscontinuities 530 towards the closed state and urge the waistbandportion 520 against the waist of the user.

As is shown, the first elongate portion 540 is attached internally tothe waistband portion 520 internally, by an aperture in waistbandportion 520 and this can be hidden by a belt loop 560 in FIG. 5 e.

As such and as can be seen, the kimono 500 maintains the appearance of atraditional kimono, with the elasticization being hidden, and the kimonocan be field from cotton type materials.

FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show another embodiment of a kimono pants 600according to the present invention, whereby the kimono pants 600 has awaistband portion 620, and an elasticized waistband 640 which is hiddenfrom view as it does not extend above the waistband portion 620.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a side view of yet a furtherembodiment of a kimono pants 700 according to the present invention. Thekimono pants 700 are similar to above embodiments, however the waistband720 includes an elasticized portion 725.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A martial arts kimono pants comprising: a pair ofleg portions and a waistband portion for extending about the waist of auser, wherein at least a portion of the waistband portion iselasticized; an elasticized waistband circumferentially affixed to thewaistband portion; wherein the elasticized waistband urges the waistbandportion against the waist of the user, and the elasticized portion ofthe waistband portion provides for extension and contraction of thewaistband portion in removal and affixing of the kimono pants to theuser.
 14. A martial arts kimono pants according to claim 13, wherein themartial arts kimono pants further includes a lining affixed to theinterior of the kimono parts.
 15. A martial arts kimono pants accordingto claim 14, wherein the lining is formed from an elasticized materialincluding Lycra® and spandex
 16. A martial arts kimono pants accordingto claim 13, further comprising a belt element and a plurality of beltloops affixed to the kimono pants at or adjacent the waistband portion.17. A marital arts kimono pants according to claim 13, wherein theelasticized waistband extends upwardly from waistband portion.
 18. Amarital arts kimono pants according to claim 13, wherein the elasticizedwaistband terminates at or below the upper circumference of thewaistband portion.
 19. A marital arts kimono pants according to claim13, wherein the elasticized waistband is affixed to the waistbandportion by sewing, stitching, darning, lacing, adhesive, heat sensitiveadhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, heat and pressure sensitiveadhesive, sonic welding, or combinations thereof.
 20. A martial artskimono pants according to claim 13, further comprising a silicone orsilicone based material extending about the inner circumference of theelasticized waistband.
 21. (canceled)
 22. A martial arts kimono pantscomprising: a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion for extendingabout the waist of a user, wherein at least a portion of the waistbandportion is elasticized; wherein the elasticized portions of thewaistband portion urges the waistband portion against the waist of theuser, and the elasticized portion of the waistband portion provides forextension and contraction of the waistband portion in removal andaffixing of the kimono pants to the user.
 23. A martial arts kimonopants comprising: a pair of leg portions and a waistband portion forextending about the waist of a user, wherein the leg portions andwaistband portion are formed from a substantially inextensible fabric;at least one discontinuity extending through at least the waistbandportion, wherein the discontinuity provides a relief for tightening andengagement of the waist band portion against waist of the user andprovides an opening in the waistband portion moveable from open statetowards a closed state; an elasticized waistband circumferentiallyaffixed to the waistband portion; wherein the elasticized waistbandurges the waistband portion against the waist of the user, and upon theelasticized waistband urging the waistband portion against the waist ofthe user the discontinuity moves from the open state towards the closedstate.
 24. The martial arts kimono pants according to claim 23, whereinthe martial arts kimono pants include two discontinuities, and each ofsaid discontinuities is located at opposed lateral positions of thewaistband portion.
 25. the martial arts kimono pants according to claim23, wherein the discontinuities are provided as a “V” shaped cut-outextending with an opening at the most upper part of the waist portion,and tapering downwards and converges below said opening.
 26. The martialarts kimono pants according to claim 24, wherein the martial arts kimonopants further includes a covering element which covers thediscontinuities.
 27. The martial arts kimono pants according to claim26, wherein the covering element is elasticized element and is formedfrom an elasticized material and allows for movement between said openstate and said closed state.
 28. The martial arts kimono pants accordingto 26, wherein the covering element further extends across the interiorof the kimono pants in the form of a lining.
 29. The martial arts kimonopants according to claim 26, wherein the covering element is formed froman elasticized material including Lycra® and spandex
 30. The martialarts kimono pants according to claim 23, further comprising a beltelement and a plurality of belt loops affixed to the kimono pants at oradjacent the waistband portion.
 31. The martial arts kimono pantsaccording to claim 30, wherein the belt element extends through aninternal passage within the waistband portion and exits said internalpassage adjacent the opposed lateral positions of the waistband portion.32. The martial arts kimono pants according to claim 23, wherein theelasticized waistband extends upwardly from waistband portion.
 33. Themartial arts kimono pants according to claim 23, wherein the elasticizedwaistband terminates at or below the upper circumference of thewaistband portion.